HILLSVILLE — Organizers of Christian Family Fun Day have tagged their next event, bringing a famous wrestler to Carroll County High School for the “Ring of Truth.”
After wrestling with the likes of Ric Flair, Arn Anderson and Ole Anderson in the original “Four Horsemen” and winning titles as a team member and on his own, Tully Blanchard now describes himself as “a champion of Christ.”
Blanchard wrestled from 1977 to 1989 in the WCW and the WWE until his drug and alcohol usage sort of pinned him to the mat.

Tully Blanchard then and now.

He remembers the time almost to the second when his revelation struck like a piledriver.
“The power of Christ to change a person’s heart and the destiny of their heart, and that happened to me Nov. 13, 1989, at 4:03 in the morning,” Blanchard recalled. “I said, ‘Jesus take over my life.’
“It was the first time I used the word ‘Jesus’ when I wasn’t cussing somebody.”
What led up to the moment was Blanchard failing a drug test, delivering a drop kick to what might have become the reunion of the Four Horsemen.
In 1991, Blanchard started delivering a message about second chances, mostly to prisons and jails.
He’s excited about Pastor Alan Page of Fellowship Wesleyan Church contacting him on Facebook to come to Hillsville and deliver his inspirational message.
“Whenever I get an opportunity to share the things that have happened to me and encourage someone else, I’m happy to do it,” Blanchard said. “It’s about the Lord’s will so I’m always excited.”
The event is scheduled for Jan. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Carroll County High School. Admission is free.
Also appearing will be the dance team Blaze Firesteppers and music will be provided by Common Creed.
People will also get a chance to attend a meet-and-greet with Blanchard at Race In the same day, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Organizers of Christian Family Fun Day threw their weight behind Blanchard’s visit, which he characterized as an outgrowth of the well-received family fun day.
“It’s touched so many people,” said Greg Talley, one of the event organizers. “ We had a lot of people saved at Christian Family Fun day.”
In order to increase the number of Christian events, organizers of the fun day promised to assist others with their ideas.